Reading
SAA Notes
Paul reminds these people of the disturbing events of his imprisonment and beating at Philippi (another city of Macedonia), and of the validity of his apostleship. Grumblings and murmurings appear to be an ever-present evil amongst God’s people, but one to be resisted and overcome. How?
SJA Notes
* Dear Lord God, thank You for Your word. Please open our hearts today to listen and obey.
“But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.”
“For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to talk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”
Paul uses two wonderful images her.
One is the gentleness of a mother with her young children, nursing them.
The other is a father exhorting and encouraging his children.
These are both used to describe what Paul and others did in bringing the good news to the church in Thessalonica.
It is important for us to remember that both of these sets of characteristics are found in the preaching of the gospel. Gentleness alongside encouragement and exhortation.
* Gracious Father in Heaven,
Thank You for Your word.
Thank You that it shows us how we are to act.
Thank You for the example set in today’s passage of building up and encouraging a church family.
Please help us to be gentle among one another, exhorting and encouraging each other.
Amen.